Cuban Arlen Lopez dominates – Arnold Khegai back on track, other talents impress at the AGON event in the Uber Eats Music Hall.
The AGON Boxing Gala in Berlin delivered thrilling fights and dominant performances on the undercard on Saturday evening. The focus was on two-time Olympic champion Arlen Lopez, who successfully defended his WBA Continental Americas light heavyweight title. The unbeaten Cuban (6-0, 2 knockouts) controlled the action over ten rounds against Jairo Delgado (14-4, 10 knockouts) and clearly prevailed on points. The judges scored the fight 99-90, 100-89 and 98-91 for Lopez, who underlined his ambitions for higher challenges.
Ukrainian Arnold Khegai (23-2-1, 14 knockouts) made an impressive comeback in the featherweight division. Khegai dominated former world champion Liborio Solís (37-9-1, 18 knockouts) over eight rounds and won unanimously on points (78-75, 80-72, 79-73). For Solís, the defeat was his second loss in a row.
There was also a clear statement in the heavyweight division: Cuban giant Carlos Castillo Rodriguez (8-0, 5 knockouts) remained unbeaten and defeated the experienced Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (10-19-1, 7 knockouts) clearly on points. All three scores were 80-72 in favor of Rodriguez, who thus continues to head for a major title fight.
In the middleweight division, Etinosa Oliha (22-0, 10 knockouts) from Italy shone with a quick knockout victory in round two against Ivan Njegac from Croatia. Oliha thus remains unbeaten and underlines his role as the upcoming top talent in the weight class.
The up-and-coming youngsters also made an impression:
- Malek Semmo (2-0, 2 knockouts) stopped Amir El Atqane (0-1-1) in the first round.
- Assan Hansen (1-0) celebrated a successful debut and prevailed over four rounds against Argentinian Kevin Bruna (4-3, 2 knockouts).
- Cuban super welterweight Yusnier Soriano Ruiz (1-0, 1 knockout) started his professional career with a clear knockout victory over Javier Castaneda Dominguez (9-5-2, 4 knockouts) from Mexico.
The Berlin fans thus saw a varied undercard that not only put established names but also exciting talents in the spotlight.